Elif Eralp, the candidate from Die Linke (The Left) for Berlin's mayoral seat, is currently living under threat due to a leaked internal document from her party. This document, published by the German weekly Der Spiegel, revealed that Eralp fears for her and her family's safety because of individuals within her political circle who have ties to Hamas and the Arab organized crime scene in Berlin.
The scandal, which came to light at the end of October, was the result of a blunder by Eralp's team. While reviewing an interview for publication—a common practice in Germany—they accidentally sent journalists the party's internal document containing Eralp's private notes instead of the corrected version.
In these notes, Eralp requested the removal of any mention of Ibrahim Ibrahim, a pro-Palestinian activist under investigation by German intelligence for his involvement with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group classified as terrorist by both the European Union and the United States.
Ibrahim was present at Die Linke's election party on September 20, 2026, the night the party secured a victory in the Berlin regional elections with 25.3% of the vote, more than doubling its previous results and ousting the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from the mayor's office.
The event was also attended by members of the Rammo clan—one of Berlin's largest organized crime groups, associated with drug trafficking and money laundering—and representatives of the Barbaj clan, known for antisemitic actions and violence against the police.
Additionally, Ibrahim had publicly praised Yahya Sinwar, a leader of Hamas, who played a role in the terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023.
In her private notes, Eralp was candid about her fears, writing, "My husband is afraid of these people, and so am I," and adding, "I will not put myself or my family at risk for Der Spiegel."
The Berlin Criminal Police had previously advised her to avoid naming specific individuals with such connections, indicating that authorities were already aware of the situation's severity.
According to El País, following the document's publication, Eralp addressed the media at the Berlin Parliament with a defiant tone, stating, "I will not be intimidated by anyone," and pledged to fight against "organized crime, the violent, and those who support terrorism" if she takes office.
This stance is notable for a party that had campaigned on drastically reducing police presence in Berlin and eliminating local intelligence services, proposals abandoned in October due to pressure from the Greens and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
This scandal emerges amid a growing concern in Europe about the infiltration of radical pro-Palestinian groups—some with direct links to Hamas—into Western political and social structures, a worry exacerbated since the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.
In Berlin, this anxiety intensified in July 2026 when a 21-year-old linked to the city's Islamist scene drove a van into a crowd during the Berlin Pride event, killing one woman and injuring 29 others.
The CDU seized the opportunity to question Die Linke's ability to ensure the capital's safety and proposed to the Greens and SPD forming an alternative coalition without Eralp's party.
This Sunday, Die Linke is holding a congress in Berlin where Eralp must secure the ratification of the coalition agreement with the Greens and social democrats. German media reports indicate that she will appear before the delegates under police protection.
Key Concerns About Political Safety in Berlin
What are the main threats facing Elif Eralp?
Eralp faces threats from individuals within her political circle with ties to Hamas and organized crime in Berlin, as revealed in a leaked document.
How did the internal document become public?
The document was accidentally sent to journalists during the review process of an interview, a mistake by Eralp's team.
What are the implications of this scandal for Die Linke?
The scandal raises doubts about Die Linke's ability to ensure safety and may affect their coalition negotiations with the Greens and SPD.
Has Eralp responded to the threats?
Yes, Eralp has publicly stated she will not be intimidated and is committed to fighting against organized crime and terrorism.